Zubiri pledges P1 M each to 43 Iloilo towns
Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri has pledged to donate P1 million worth of projects for the 43 municipalities in the province of Iloilo. The donation is the senator's way of thanking the Ilonggos for their support last May 2007 senatorial election which made him in the top ten in the province.
Zubiri made his announcement during the 1st Provincial Tourism Assembly held last September 13, 2007 here in the city. With the senator's commitment, each municipality is required to pass a resolution requesting for the amount and its corresponding project before the actual release of the donation.
The assembly aims to create tourism awareness, communication awareness seminar, development of tourism materials, requisition of advocacy tools, identify tourism sight area and creation of tourism council and sourcing of fundings.
The senator said his pledge for a P1 million worth of projects for each municipality is a sign of his gratitude. He said he will always remember the support given to him by the people of Iloilo being the last senator to be elected. "The people knew how I struggled in order to land on the 12th slot of elected senators," Zubiri said.
One of the 43 towns to avail of the P1 million project is the town of Calinog. According to OIC Mayor Salvador Divinagracia Jr., he intends to spend the P1 million pledge for the rehabilitation of the town's municipal hall. Divinagracia was accompanied by Calinog Sangguniang Bayan Member Josephine Saturnino during the affair.
Zubiri likewise committed to Mayor Jerry Treñas to apportion some of his fundings for the construction of the seven-storey new city hall building. He, however did not specify on how much he will give to the city.
Meanwhile, Zubiri encouraged "eco-tourism projects through conservation of natural resources." He said the council should also pass legislations that support eco-tourism programs but same time protect the environment.
Zubiri said the municipal governments should have a tourism master plan. The tourism master plan will eliminate problems on disposal of garbage. The create a zero-waste management tourism spot is a challenge to all the stakeholders.
The creation of tourism master plan will likewise avoid duplications of festivals in the different parts of the country. There are festivals in the country which have the same content and focus, said Zubiri.